Latching mechanism

ABSTRACT

A latch mechanism comprising a frame having an insertion axis therethrough. A first latch spring is disposed on the frame and is biased to an extended position. A handle is connected to the frame and is movable along the insertion axis between a first position and a second position. A first cam is disposed on the handle and moves the first latch spring to a retracted position as the handle moves toward the second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of, and incorporates byreference, provisional application Ser. No. 60/650,336, filed Feb. 4,2005, and entitled “Push/Pull Mechanism.”

BACKGROUND

Many computer systems are constructed as a collection of components thatare assembled together within a single chassis or cabinet. Thecomponents are often arranged such that individual components can beinstalled into and removed from the chassis as needed for maintenanceand service. In order to facilitate use, the components are oftenequipped with a handle or some other feature for handling the componentand enabling installation into the computer system.

Another feature often found in these computer systems are latchingmechanisms that securely connect the component to the chassis. Thelatching mechanisms are generally used to prevent unintentional removalof the components. The latching systems often operate independently ofany handling features that the component may have. Thus, in manyinstances the latching and handling systems require two distinctmotions, such as rotating and pulling, to unlatch and remove a componentfrom a chassis.

One restriction on the design of component handling and latching systemsis the space available within a chassis. With the development of smallercomputer systems, space within a chassis may become limited and lessspace may be available for latching and handling systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an assembly comprising an embodiment of latch mechanismconstructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a computer system including the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a latchingmechanism disengaged from a receptacle;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic of an embodiment of a latching mechanism beinginserted into a receptacle;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a latchingmechanism engaged with a receptacle;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a latchingmechanism being pulled out of a receptacle

FIG. 8 shows a partial view of a latch mechanism constructed inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 shows a detail view of a portion of the latch mechanism of FIG.8.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art willappreciate, computer companies may refer to a component by differentnames. This document does not intend to distinguish between componentsthat differ in name but not function. In the following discussion and inthe claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in anopen-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including,but not limited to. . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” isintended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if afirst device couples to a second device, that connection may be througha direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devicesand connections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of theinvention. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred,the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used,as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. Inaddition, one skilled in the art will understand that the followingdescription has broad application, and the discussion of any embodimentis meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended tointimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, islimited to that embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, removable assembly 10 compriseselectronic component 12 and latch mechanism 14. Electronic component 12is illustrated as a cooling fan but may be any electronic component usedin a computer system, such as a power supply, disk drive, expansioncard, or other device. Latch mechanism 14 comprises frame 16, latchsprings 18, handle 20, spacer 22, and recoil spring 24. Assembly 10 isheld together by screws 26. Assembly 10 also comprises connector mount28 that is connected to frame 16 and supports a connector that iscoupled to electronic component 12.

Latch springs 18 comprise body 30, engagement tabs 32, and angled face34. Latch spring body 30 is disposed on frame 16 and extends intoaperture 36 such that engagement tabs 32 project through the aperture.Latch springs 18 are constructed from sheet metal, plastic, or someother material that provides sufficient flexibility and resiliency so asto bias the latch spring to the position where engagement tabs 32 extendthrough aperture 36.

Handle 20 comprises substantially parallel members 38 connected bygripping portion 40. Each parallel member 38 comprises cam 42 and slot44. Parallel members 38 extend from gripping portion 40 along the sidesof frame 16. Handle 20 has a first position, see FIGS. 1 and 4, wherecams 42 are disposed within apertures 36 on frame 16 and slots 44 arealigned with the apertures such that engagement tabs 32 of latch springs18 extend through slots 44.

Spacer 22 is connected to electronic component 12 and houses recoilspring 24 and retainer 46. Retainer 46 extends through slot 48 in spacer22 and engages lugs 50 on handle 20. Recoil spring 24 is thus retainedbetween spacer 22 and handle 20 so as to bias the handle to the firstposition. Recoil spring 24 may be a coiled spring, flat spring,elastomeric member, or some other resilient member. Handle 20 also has asecond position, see FIG. 7, wherein handle 20 is pulled in direction45. As handle 20 is pulled to the second position, cams 42 engage angledface 34 so as to urge latch springs 18 inward and retract engagementtabs 32.

Referring now to FIG. 3, assembly 10 is disposable in chassis 52 alonginsertion axis 54. Chassis 52 supports an electronic component 56, suchas a motherboard, and comprises receptacle 58 that receives assembly 10.Receptacle 58 comprises tab receiver 60 and connector plug 62. Whenassembly 10 is fully inserted into chassis 52, engagement tabs 32 engagereceiver 60 to retain the assembly within the chassis and connector plug62 engages a connector on connector mount 28 to electrically coupleelectronic component 12 to electronic component 56. The position oflatching mechanism 14 is shown in FIG. 6.

The interface of a latching mechanism 14 and corresponding receptacle 58is detailed in FIGS. 4-7. In FIG. 4, latching mechanism 14 is shownoutside of receptacle 58. Handle 20 is in the first position where cams42 are disposed within apertures 36 on frame 16 and slots 44 are alignedwith the apertures such that engagement tabs 32 of latch springs 18extend through slots 44. FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of latchingmechanism 14 as it is slidably disposed within receptacle 58 in thedirection indicated by arrow 64. As the wall of receptacle 58 contactsengagement tabs 32, latch spring 18 will deflect inward and allowassembly 10 to slide within receptacle 58.

Once latching mechanism 14 is fully received within receptacle 58, as isshown in FIG. 6, latch spring 18 moves engagement tabs 32 outward wherethey engage tab receiver 60. The engagement of tabs 32 and receiver 60prevents latching mechanism 14 from moving out of engagement withreceptacle 58. In order to disengage latching mechanism 14 fromreceptacle 58, handle 20 is pulled along insertion axis 54 in thedirection indicated by arrow 66. As handle 20 is pulled, cam 42 engagesangled face 34 so as to urge latch spring 18 inward. The inward movementof latch spring 18 retracts engagement tab 32 from receiver 60 andallows assembly 10 to be pulled along insertion axis 54 in the directionindicated by arrow 66.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the installation of component assembly 10 intochassis 52 is achieved by simply inserting the component assembly alonginsertion axis 54 into receptacle 58. The operation of latchingmechanism 14 during this installation is shown in FIG. 5. As shown inFIG. 6, latching mechanism 14 will automatically engage receptacle 58 asassembly 10 is inserted into the receptacle. To remove componentassembly 10 from chassis 52, the user only has to pull handle 20 todisengage latching mechanism as shown in FIG. 7. As handle 20 is pulled,latching mechanism 14 will disengage from receptacle 58 and assembly 10will be pulled out of the receptacle. Once assembly 10 is removed fromchassis 12, handle 20 is released and recoil spring 24 returns handle 20to the first position.

The operation of latching mechanism is transparent to the user in thatit operates without requiring manipulation separate from that which isalready taking place, i.e., the pushing and pulling of the handle tomove the component. The latching mechanism may be disengaged directly bypulling the handle, or may be otherwise disengaged as the component ispulled out of the receptacle. Latching mechanism 14 also provides asystem that takes up very little space. The components of latchingmechanism 14 can be constructed from a sheet metal, molded plastic, orsome other relatively thin material such that the total thickness of thelatching mechanism can be minimized. The overall thickness used by alatching mechanism can be further reduced by utilizing a single latchspring or other engagement member.

Latching mechanism 14 may be used with a variety of electroniccomponents that are removable from a computer system chassis. Forexample, embodiments of the latching mechanism can be used withremovable power supplies, disk drives, expansion cards, fans, processormodules. In certain embodiments, the latching mechanism could be used insecuring a chassis within a rack or other enclosure. The latchingmechanism may engage any number of features to retain the componentwithin a receptacle of a chassis or rack, including slots, grooves,pins, posts, or other members that allow the latching mechanism toengage the receptacle as the component is inserted into the receptacle.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, latch mechanism 100 comprises frame 102,latch spring 104, handle 106, and recoil spring 108. Latch spring 104 iscoupled to frame 102 by fasteners 124 and further comprises spring body110, engagement tab 112, angled face 114, and cam surface 116. Handle106 comprises cam 118 and is slidably coupled to frame 102 by slots 120that are engaged with retainers 122. Recoil spring 108 is coupled to oneend of handle 106.

Frame 102 is operable for insertion along insertion axis 124 into achassis or other receptacle (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 frame102 is integrated into the front side 126 of a rack-mountable chassis128. As chassis 128 is inserted into a rack, angled face 114 of latchspring 104 will contact the rack and deflect latch spring 104 inward.Once fully inserted into the chassis, engagement tab 112 will align witha receptacle and latch spring 104 will move the engagement tab 112 intoengagement with the receptacle and chassis 128 will be secured withinthe rack.

To remove chassis 128 from the rack, handle 106 is pulled outward. Ashandle 106 moves, cam 118 engages cam surface 116 and urges latch spring104 inward until engagement tab 112 is disengaged from the receptacle onthe chassis. Chassis 128 can then be removed from the rack. Once handle106 is released, recoil spring 108 returns handle 106 to a retractedposition where cam 118 is disengaged from cam surface 116.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles andvarious embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations andmodifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once theabove disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the followingclaims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

1. A latch mechanism comprising: a frame having an insertion axistherethrough; a first latch spring disposed on said frame, wherein saidfirst latch spring is biased to an extended position; a handle connectedto said frame, wherein said handle is movable along the insertion axisbetween a first position and a second position; a first cam disposed onsaid handle, wherein said first cam moves said first latch spring to aretracted position as said handle moves toward the second position; anda recoil spring operable to bias said handle to the first position. 2.The latch mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a receptacle operableto receive said frame, wherein said first latch spring engages saidreceptacle when said first latch spring is in the extended position andsaid frame is disposed within said receptacle.
 3. The latch mechanism ofclaim 1, further comprising a removable module supported by said frame.4. The latch mechanism of claim 3, further comprising a connectormounted to said frame and coupled to said removable module.
 5. The latchmechanism of claim 1, further comprising: a second latch spring disposedon said frame, wherein said second latch spring is biased to an extendedposition; and a second cam disposed on said handle, wherein said secondcam moves said second latch spring to a retracted position as saidhandle moves toward the second position.
 6. The latch mechanism of claim5 wherein said first latch spring and said second latch spring aredisposed on opposite sides of said frame.